Warrants used to search Andrew's homes were unlawful, court says
A London judge ruled that search warrants used by Thames Valley Police to raid the homes of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor earlier this year were unlawful. Justice Nicholas Hilliard identified significant errors made by the police in applying for the warrants and by the judge who granted them during an investigation linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Police accepted the legal errors, giving the former prince a win in his lawsuit against authorities. However, officers have retained seized material while arguing over whether they can lawfully hold it for their ongoing criminal probe.
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- ✓ Justice Nicholas Hilliard ruled that search warrants used to raid the homes of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were unlawful.
- ✓ Thames Valley Police admitted to legal errors in applying for the search warrants during an investigation connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
- ✓ Police continue to hold material seized during the February raids while arguing over whether they can lawfully retain it for an ongoing investigation.
What changed
A London judge formally quashed the search warrants after Thames Valley Police conceded that the warrants used in the February raids were unlawful.
Live updates
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Court Rules Search Warrants Used Against Andrew Unlawful
A London judge ruled that search warrants used by Thames Valley Police to raid the homes of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor earlier this year were unlawful. Justice Nicholas Hilliard identified significant errors made by the police in applying for the warrants and by the judge who granted them during an investigation linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Police accepted the legal errors, giving the former prince a win in his lawsuit against authorities. However, officers have retained seized material while arguing over whether they can lawfully hold it for their ongoing criminal probe.
Why it matters
The ruling marks a significant legal setback for Thames Valley Police, though legal experts note that technical errors are unlikely to halt the broader criminal investigation into the former prince. The raids occurred at the time of Andrew's arrest in February. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports indicate friction within the royal family following the court outcome.
What is confirmed
- Justice Nicholas Hilliard ruled that search warrants used to raid the homes of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were unlawful.
- Thames Valley Police admitted to legal errors in applying for the search warrants during an investigation connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
- Police continue to hold material seized during the February raids while arguing over whether they can lawfully retain it for an ongoing investigation.
Still unconfirmed
- King Charles is reportedly hopping mad over his brother's legal win and Andrew is demanding that the monarch admit he was wrong.
What to watch next
- A further court hearing to determine the status of the seized material
- Decisions by Thames Valley Police regarding the retention of evidence for their ongoing investigation
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (19)
- www.bbc.com — BBC Home - Breaking News, World News, US News, Sports, Business...
- www.yahoo.com — Yahoo
- abcnews.com — ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
- The Telegraph — Andrew police raids were unlawful, court rules
- BBC — Police accept Andrew search warrants were unlawful, court hears
- AP News — Judge says search warrants used to seize property from former Prince Andrew were unlawful
- www.bbc.com — Warrants used to search Andrew's homes were unlawful, court says
- www.theguardian.com — Search warrants used in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor raids were unlawful, court rules
- Yahoo — Charles Reportedly ‘Hopping Mad’ Over Andrew’s Legal Win as His Brother Demands for the King the ‘Admit’ He Was ‘Wrong’
- Al Jazeera — UK ex-prince Andrew search warrants quashed after police accept legal error
- www.oann.com — Judge finds warrants used to search fmr Prince Andrew’s homes were unlawful – One America News Networ....
- abcnews.com — Judge says search warrants used to seize property from ex-Prince Andrew were unlawful
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